State Releases Baba Ceesay Ending 2 months detention

Mr. Baba Ceesay, a native of Kartong in the West Coast Region, has been released after two months in detention.

He is one of the 13 people who were discharged at the Mansakonko high court as part of those being arraigned for their alleged participation in a protest at Westfield on 14 April 2016 which was led by Ebrima Solo Sandeng, the national organising secretary of the United Democratic Party, who is largely believed to be dead while in state custody.

The release of Ceesay was confirmed by Mustapha Manneh, his nephew, who explained that his uncle reunited with the family at Kartong between 8-9pm on Thursday. He said the uncle was released after he had signed a document prohibiting him from participating in any “unlawful assembly” in the country again.

It could be recalled Ceesay was among 25 people whose case started at the high court in Banjul but was later transferred to the Mansakonko high court before Justice Abi after having been charged with 7 counts. On Wednesday, 15 June, the prosecution told the court that they intend to apply for the discharge of 13 out of the 25 accused persons as they have written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) stating that they shall keep the peace and will not participate in any unlawful assembly. The prosecution announced the 13 as Baba Ceesay, Bubacarr Gitteh, Ebrima Janko Ceesay, Lamin Camara, Alagie Jammeh, Lamin Jatta, Ebrima Jadama, Pa Ousman Njie, Kekuta Yarbo, Bubacarr Jah, Muhammed Jawneh, Babucarr Touray and Sadeer Secka.”